Hang An Outdoor Light
When you are removing the Gorilla Tough & Clear Mounting Tape from the package, do it carefully. It really sticks! Youll want to make sure your hands are washed and you are ready to go when you remove the tape because it doesnt come to play.
We took two pieces of the Gorilla Tough & Clear Mounting Tape and stuck it on either side of the mounting plate. This tape works with a lot of plastics, metal, wood, glass, brick, ceramic, stone, and more.
The only place is really doesnt work is on wallpaper, delicate surfaces, and some PP plastics. In this case, our mounting plate was metal. The tape stuck very quickly so youll want to make sure its in the right location before pressing it down.
After that youre going to remove the strips on the top of the tape. If you dont have long fingernails, use a craft knife or tweezers to help you grab a corner.
Then youre going to make sure the surface is dry and relatively clean . Then press down firmly. This Gorilla Tough & Clear Mounting Tape REALLY STICKS!
After we taped up the lower, solar bracket, we also used the Gorilla Tough & Clear Mounting Tape to place the upper light plate as well. The Gorilla tape holds up to 15 lbs*, though our neighbors light was probably 2 3 at the most.
Im happy that my neighbors were able to add a light and that we were able to help them do so. I cant take all the credit though . . . this Gorilla Tough & Clear Mounting Tape is pretty amazing. What would you hang with this product?
How To Hang String Lights Over A Deck
If your deck has a railing, you can attach DIY posts to the existing railing to extend their height. The ideal height will probably be eight or nine feet, depending on which style of lights you choose, and how much you want to swag them.
Then use cup hooks or screw eyes to attach the light strands to the tops of each post.
Hanging Patio String Lights: A Pattern Of Perfection
Spring has officially arrived and that means it’s time to get in shape! Now don’t start dusting off those old workout videos, today we’re talking about patio string lights! From straight lines to scallops, string lights can take on many different shapes and almost any of these will work in the area you are looking to illuminate. But, before you begin hanging patio lights, it is helpful to determine the best way to utilize the space you have in order to get the most out of your outdoor lighting project.
Patio String Lights Hanging Patterns:
- The ZigZag
- The Magic Circle
Some people love straight foward thinking, others like to keep things interesting by forging a new path. Zig Zag patterns are a fun choice when you want to add full coverage illumination across your space but desire a more interesting light design.
Pattern Perfection Pro Tip:Hang light strings closer together to create a canopy of stars that covers the entire space. If you have one or two very long light strings and an area that is more long and narrow, consider spacing each section farther apart to cover a greater distance with less strings. For even brighter illumination, consider wrapping surrounding trees with mini lights!
Pattern Perfection Pro Tip:Use patio light strings with larger bulb sizes and wider socket spacing for bigger areas. If you are working in a small space, choose smaller bulb sizes, such as G30 globe lights, with tighter socket spacing between each bulb.
Choose A Staple Brand Of Lights That Are In Stock All Year
I have tried pretty much all big brand lights out there but I now only buy my outdoor lights from Home Depot because they keep them in stock all year . If you buy off brand string lighting, you will run the risk of the lights not being available for replacement bulbs or if you want to add more strings over time. I also buy two extra boxes for replacement bulbs because at $12.00 a box, its cheaper for me to just buy more string lights than buy replacement bulbs.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts: Add Lights
Arrange the planters in a rectangle no more than 10 apart. Secure one end of the string lights to one of the cup hooks with the hook attached to the light, or with cable ties or twist ties if no hook exists. Continue stringing the lights, making an outline of the planters. When you have reached the first planter and have formed a rectangular outline of lights, begin zigzagging the lights from one side of the outline to the other, spacing the passes of string far enough apart so that they will be evenly distributed to the end. Secure the end to a cup hook as you did the beginning of the string. Attach an outdoor-safe extension cord and plug into an outlet.
Photo by: Sam Henderson
Sam Henderson
When you have reached the first planter and have formed a rectangular outline of lights, begin zigzagging the lights from one side of the outline to the other, spacing the passes of string far enough apart so that they will be evenly distributed to the end. Secure the end to a cup hook as you did the beginning of the string. Attach an outdoor-safe extension cord and plug into an outlet.
Do Not Attach A Cable Around A Tree Trunk
It is important to understand that tree trunks ad branches increase in diameter as they grow. Cables installed around a tree trunk will cause damage to the tree as the bark grow is causes a strangulation effect to the tree. A cable around the truck causes a restriction that keeps the sap from flowing through the tree, eventually killing the tree.
Build Your Own Supports
Our final method to hanging outdoor lights is to build your own supports. This is the most expensive and time-intensive option but it can be well worth the effort.
Although there are countless ways to build supports, my favorite method uses buckets and poles to ensure easy portability. In my opinion, this is far superior to a permanent method where you bury the pole in the actual ground.
My favorite method to build your own supports consists of placing support poles in two heavy-duty buckets and then adding in a heavy fill material.
I prefer wood poles but hollow metal poles and even PVC pipe also work well. I like to fill each bucket with gravel to hold the pole in place. However, for a somewhat more permanent design you can fill the buckets with concrete, like .
Simply cut the poles to your desired height, place each in a bucket, fill the bucket with a heavy material, and hang your lights – voila, you’ve just completed one of my favorite patio lighting ideas!
Best Ways To Hang Outdoor String Lights
Backyards in many homes are brightened up by hanging string lights. Outdoor string lights can be hung temporarily during events such as weddings or permanently to enhance the backyard patio. Regardless of the events, there are numerous ideas on how to hang the string lights to create that cozy ambiance that will have you enjoy your nights.
String lights bring out an inviting and soft glow in your backyard or the entire homestead. When properly fixed, they will transform your backyard into an attractive spot, where you can host friends and cheer up as you enjoy your night.
Some backyards have trees and other objects while others lack a backyard. Therefore, before you decide on the best way to hand your outdoor string lights, you should take time to assess your backyard.
Outdoor street lights should be able to withstand harsh temperatures, wind, and rain. Therefore, the quality of the lights and the hanging style are crucial.
However, to achieve that inviting illumination in your backyard, you need to hang the lights in the right way to achieve the best illumination pattern. Therefore, you should learn the best ways to hang the outdoor string lights in your homestead.
That said, here are the best ways to hang your outdoor string lights to beautify and brighten up the space.
How To Hang Patio Lights
Outdoor patio lights are an essential element to any backyard transformation. Globe and patio string lights offer a brilliant solution for creating exceptional atmosphere above bistro and restaurant dining areas, elegant illumination when used in weddings and also make a fun way to carry your events from day to night! In just a few easy steps and with the help of our commercial grade patio lights, you can transform your backyard into a professional quality outdoor oasis that is so inviting you may never want to come inside!
Level: Easy
Pick Your Patio Lights Pattern
When it comes to hanging party and patio lights there are several patterns to choose from. Most light patterns will work great in any space, so the choice can be purely aesthetic. First, determine if you want your patio lights to hang taught or if you’d rather they create a sweeping effect across your space. Once you’ve decided how you would like your strings to dangle, choose a pattern and measure accordingly. In some cases you may need to use string to produce accurate measurements of the space by demonstrating the way you would like the lights to hang.
Straight Lines For Patio Lighting
V Pattern Patio Lights
X Patio Lights Patterns
X patterns are just that! Cross lights at the middle to form an X at the center. This usually works best when wires are pulled tight. You can also create a diamond effect above an outdoor space by combining multiple X’s in a row.
Simply Drape Patio Lights
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How To Install Poles To Hang Outdoor String Lights In Your Backyard
Lighting makes outdoor spaces feel inviting. Here’s a simple, sturdy way to hang those pretty string lights you’ve been eyeing.
Ready your outdoor space for al fresco dining and bonfire season with the warm glow of string lights. If you don’t have any deck or porch posts accessible or trees you can use to string outdoor lights, this backyard project can help you suspend lights anywhere with minimal effort. Long vertical poles secured with concrete footings are an easy way to support twinkling string lights and are sturdy enough to stay up for the entire summer season. A little carpentry work and a few basic supplies are all that’s required, and this DIY project can be done in one day. See how we did it below, and check out our expert advice to hang string lights correctly the first time.
- Working time3 hrs
- Start to finish1 day
- DifficultyKind of Easy
- InvolvesPouring Concrete, Carpentry Skills
- 1-inch diameter PVC pipeQty:1
- 3/4-inch conduitQty:1
Set Concrete
Create a sturdy base for the lighting supports using concrete and PVC pipes. Sink concrete forms at each end or corner of your patio or backyard area. Make sure the concrete forms are set deep enough to go below the frost line, which varies by region. Center a same-height piece of 1-inch-diameter PVC pipe inside and fill form around the pipe with concrete.
Cut Pipes
Drill Holes
Finish Poles
Hang String Lights
String Light Cord Isnt Long Enough
If your light cord isnt long enough to reach the corners of your deck or patio, you can buy yourself some length by using cord to attach the strand to an eye hook. See the deck railing section above for a visual. You can also buy length with a carabiner.
Now go hang some lights and enjoy your outdoor spaces!
How High Should Patio String Lights Be
Always be careful hanging patio string lights along peoples walking paths. Small, thin strings of outdoor lights are difficult to see when not turned on.
You dont want to be responsible for someone clothes-lining themselves! Its hard to tell you a definitive height, considering it largely depends on the height of the tallest person on your patio! However, 9-10 feet is a good rule of thumb.
Why 9 to 10 feet? Its 4-5 feet taller than an average-sized human being. The lights will naturally hang down and sag over time, so youll want a bit of breathing room.
Installations On Wood Rafters And Beams
For permanent installations, you can use a staple gun to secure your lights to rafters and beams. These tools shoot fastener directly into wood, so its important to check your depth settings before you start. Proper depth holds the wire to the wood without severing the connection or putting too much pressure on the wire itself. Start this installation at the point closest to the electrical outlet, and remember to leave yourself enough room to plug the lights in once you finish the installation. This method creates clean lines directly across porch ceilings and garden walls.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights: A Step
For an outdoor space thats sparkling with charm, create a glowing overhead galaxy of string lights. Energy efficient, affordable, and easy to install, patio string lights can make a huge impact with just a little bit of planning and preparation. Even better, learning how to hang outdoor patio string lights can be completed in one afternoon!
Choosing The Right Brand
After learning the best ways to hang string light bulbs, you will need to choose the right brand for your house. Some brands are appropriate for temporal hanging during events while others are appropriate for permanent fixing. Therefore, you should purchase the best string lights that fit your needs.
The most common string light brands are:
1. Bistro lights
These lights consist of glass bulbs that give off a yellow glow. They are ideal for outdoor lighting. They are ideal ambiance lights that offer a pleasing night experience with warm overhead light.
2. Twinkle lights
They are available in both plastic and glass bulbs which is efficient in energy production; although, they give off cool blue light.
3. Edison bulbs
They are a pseudo-vintage type of string bulbs that are of higher end. They have an orange filament that gives out a warm glow with a timely ambiance. However, they are expensive to replace.
Tools And Materials Needed For Hanging String Lights
- Globe Light Suspension Kit, Galvanized Steel Cable, 110 ft. $45.99
- Brightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor Weatherproof Commercial Grade Light with Hanging Sockets 48 Ft string w/bulbs. $54.99hooks
- Zip Ties
The , Galvanized Steel Cable I used features:
- Galvanized steel cable for hanging commercial grade string lights
- 110 feet long; 1/16 inch in diameter
- Comes with one attached snap hook and one loose cable end and a Gripple Fastener clip
- Cable can be trimmed to any desired length
- Weather resistant; Working load limit of 100 lbs.
The cable is 110 feet in length and 1/16 of an inch in diameter. With an attached snap hook and a loose clip that allows you to feed the cable through one side of the clip, loop it around posts and other fixed objects.
Its a perfect solution for large open areas, and to prevent sagging string lights.
Best Places To Use Inexpensive String Lights
Inexpensive patio lights can work really well when theyre hung in a protected location, and when theyre not likely to get jostled or blown around in the wind. Here are a couple of places where they might serve your needs just fine:
- hung along a fence
- hung directly on a house or building
A couple of other benefits of these smaller, more budget-friendly string lights is theyre undeniably cuter, lighter-weight, and take up less storage space when not in use. Just dont plan to leave them up year-round if you live in a harsh or windy climate.
Here you can see the inexpensive lights I hung in my kids playhouse below.
Ways Of How To Hang String Lights In Backyard Without Trees
Are you looking for ways of how to string lights in backyard without trees? As enjoying the night view in the backyard is surely a blessing not anyone could get, a nicely arranged lighting will make it whole. Incase there are no support systems, like trees, to hang string lights, you could prepare one yourself.
This article will help you see 20 ways to hang string lights in the backyard with no trees. It is time to getcreative, everyone. The list below is ready; let us explore it!
Step 3: Connect & Tighten Cable
With the screw hooks in place, youre ready to start hanging the cable. Connect the snap hook* on the cable guide wire to the screw hook at one end of the span .
Run the unfinished end of the cable to the other screw hook, loop it through and then loop the cable guide wire back through another cable clip . The cable clip allows you to adjust the length and tautness of the wire. After reaching the right length/tautness, you can cut off any excess wire extending from the cable clip.
Alternatively, you could also use a turnbuckle to more easily get the tautness you want in the guide wire .
If you are making a zigzag or other pattern and need to change direction at a sharper angle then the guide wire naturally bends, you can opt to stop and start your guide wire by cutting the guide wire and using additional cable clips to make the intersection .
*Note that our 30-, 60- and 110-foot cable guide wires have a snap hook on one end and the other end is unfinished with an included cable clip to customize the length. Our 350-foot bulk reel guide wire is unfinished on both ends for more flexibility and you can buy the number of cable clips you need.
Attach Lights To Outdoor Wireless Remote Control Weatherproof Outlet
This may be one of my favorite things about the outdoor lights!
If you are going through the trouble to hang outdoor string lights you will definitely want to add an outdoor remote control outlet so you have the convenience of turning your lights on from inside your home.
We hang our remote controls by our deck door. It makes it super easy to turn on the lights when we are looking for a little ambiance. If something is convenient, you are sure to use it more!
Wrap The String Lights Around Trees
You can use any trees in your yard as impromptu light stands.
While its perfectly fine to do this, youll want to make sure to shift the lights regularly. You want to avoid having the string lights grow into the tree .
You can choose to drill directly into the tree, but be careful not to permanently damage it.
How Do You Attach String Lights To An Aluminum Patio
How to Hang Things on an Aluminum Porch
Furthermore, how do you hang patio lights without nails? Method 1Hanging Lights with Hooks or Clips
Keeping this in consideration, how do you hang string lights on a patio?
Hanging Patio String Lights Basic Steps
How do you hang lights on a metal awning?
Hanging lights on metal doesn’t have to be hard.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights: The Ultimate Guide
Want to hang string lights over your backyard or patio, but not sure how? Learn how with this comprehensive guide!
Who doesnt love a backyard party under glowing string lights on a warm Summers evening?
But figuring out how and where to hang the lights, which type to buy, and how many you need can get a little complicated. It will all boil down to what you have that you can attach the lights to. This guide will tell you everything you need to know and link to the best DIY tutorials for each situation.
Diy Planter String Light Poles
Another popular method for creating DIY string light posts is to fill large flower pots or planters partially with cement and set the poles in the concrete. Then you can fill the remaining space with soil and plant flowers or foliage around the post. Check out this tutorial from Wendi at H20 Bungalow.
How Do You Hang String Lights On A Patio Without Nails
Most hooks use nails to hang string lights, but there are a few ways you can hang string lights without nails. Try using:
- Staples
Staples are more secure than tape and are not as visible as nails.
- Gutter hooks
Gutter hooks hang on your gutter, so you dont need nails to fasten them to your home.
- Adhesive hooks
Adhesive hooks stick to the side of your home. But these wont be as sturdy compared to nailing a hook into your wall.
- Tape
Tape is the least secure of the four options, but it wont damage your home if youre worried about drilling holes into your walls.
You can also hang your outdoor string lights in a few different places that dont require nails.
These include:
Tips And Tricks For Hanging String Lights Under Covered Patio Deck
Clean design. Initially, I had wanted the lights to be angled from one corner to the next. Since we had a fan installed, it would be too much for the space.For our space, I wanted to stay clear of a cluttered ceiling, so we opted for the perimeter to be lighted.
However, if you have a fairly open space, I would recommend looking up various ways you can hang the lights .
Measure Your Space. Before you even think about ordering your lights, measure your space and your design. It’s important to think about how you’ll get the light to the outlet, especially if you want to hang the long leading end. Measure your space and your initial design so that you get enough length.
Anchor Ports. Make sure you have anchor ports for the light strands. In our space, since we were securing it around the perimeter, it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Use hooks and silicone. If you plan on adding holes to the outside walks, I would recommend using caulking silicone around the hooks to keep the hole from wearing with the weather as well as keeping the bugs out.
Keep the lights away from the wall. While the lights don’t emit that much power, we wanted to avoid any heat to the structures surrounding it as much as possible. As a hack, we added zip ties to the hooks and cut them. The zip ties effectively worked as spacers on the hooks to keep the lights away from the wall. It was cheap and worked.
Step Four: Attach Your String Lights
Now that your path is mapped out and your eye hooks are installed, its finally time to hang your lights. Start your installation at the point closest to your electrical source making sure that your string lights are able to reach an outlet or extension cord. Use a zip tie to attach the cable section of your string light to each eye hook. It is wise to keep your zip ties loose until you have attached your full length of lighting so you can adjust along the way. Once everything is attached, start back at the beginning of your line, pull each section taut, fully secure your zip tie, and cut off any excess plastic from the end of the zip tie.